OSPIRG funding not
a partisan issue
A recent letter, urging support for OSPIRG (“Vote yes for the environment,” ODE, March 7), stated: “Don’t let the campus right-wing muddle the argument.”
The “right-wing?” Since when is the funding of OSPIRG a partisan issue?
Do I consider myself a liberal? Yes. Do I think environmental issues are important? Absolutely. Do I support OSPIRG? Of course not.
My non-support of OSPIRG is based not on the causes they endorse, but rather on the fact that they use incidental fees to run a “volunteer” organization.
Let those who choose to support OSPIRG donate their own money, and let the rest of us give what we choose to other, worthy organizations.
Don’t let OSPIRG muddle the argument: This is a funding issue, not a partisan issue.
Katie Bour
senior
Japanese
Carlson’s letter unfair
Brian Carlson’s letter to the editor (“Bailey makes empty promises,” ODE, March 8) was an attack on my character. It was based on false information and is politically motivated.
First of all, Brian says that my running mate and I are resident assistants. Neither of us are RAs, nor have ever been.
Brian also attacked my campaign, saying that I pledged, while visiting Kappa Delta, to immunize all students here for meningococcal meningitis and that this was a shameless attempt to gain votes. I live in Cloran Hall, and I knew Jill [Dieringer] quite well. What I said at Kappa Delta was that I’d advocate for immunization against this disease. I’ll fight for a statewide law that would require entering freshmen to get the vaccine. And this is not some empty campaign promise, this is something close to my heart that I would fight for immediately. Many schools on the East Coast already require this vaccine.
As far as the grievance against Bret [Jacobson)] and Matt [Cook] is concerned, I had people approaching me that I had never met, telling me that they want to file a grievance, write a testimonial letter or anything else that would bring this event to light. I told them not to do so.
No one wanted grievances to stay out of this election more than I did, but when someone gains direct access to a thousand-plus voters that I had no contact with by so clearly breaking equal-access rules, a line must be drawn.
Eric J. Bailey
ASUO Senate vice president
ASUO Executive candidate
sophomore
undeclared
Financial choices belong to students
When someone comes to my door asking for donations for a good cause, I tell him or her no — not because I don’t believe it’s an effort worth fighting for, but because I simply can’t afford it.
I am a college student. Ten dollars to me is quarters for laundry, my half of the phone bill, a night out at Rennie’s, etc. If an OSPIRG representative came up to me on campus and asked for $10 right then and there, I’d give the same answer as the vast majority of the student body — no.
I don’t know where my money’s going, and since OSPIRG does not have any accountability, there’s just as good a chance it will get lost in bureaucratic paperwork as it will help the environment. That’s not a chance I’m willing to take, just like I wouldn’t take the chance with someone who came to my door or called my home.
Voting yes on OSPIRG eliminates the option to spend my $10 on something I need and every other student’s $10 on something they need. When I want to help clean our rivers or stop pollution, I’ll do it myself. I’ll donate my free time and my free energy because I’m young and healthy, so I can. But it is my choice; I will make that decision on my own. I do not want OSPIRG making it for me.
Amber Plaunty
sophomore
undeclared
Board’s policy a mistake
I agree with Michael J. Kleckner (“State board proves money conquers all,” ODE, March 7). I am on the state Board of Higher Education, and I’m upset with the way the board handled this issue.
Upset or not, our challenge now is not to get discouraged but rather focus that energy on proving how wrong this policy is. I felt the way this policy was presented to the board was misleading and the policy itself too restrictive on campus-based and board prerogatives.
I was outnumbered 10 to 1 in my opinion and my vote on this, unfortunately. But in doing business, there are bound to be other concerns for an institution of higher learning besides a given organization’s ability to deliver a product or service to that institution.
Labor isn’t the only issue here, although it is an important one. What are some other issues you can think of that would be restricted by this policy? Please e-mail me and check out our Web site, www.ous.edu, to get contact information for the other board members if you are interested.
Tim Young
junior
political science
member of Oregon State Board of Higher Education
Vote Shine for LCC Board
The ballots are out! I intend to cast my vote for Dennis Shine, who has No. 11 on this year’s ballot and is my favorite candidate for the Zone 3 position on the LCC Board.
Why? He was endorsed by The Register-Guard in its March 1 edition. He has the endorsement of the Faculty Union of LCC and the Associated Students of LCC. He has been endorsed by State Senator Lee Beyer; State Reps. Vicki Walker, Bill Morrissette and Al King; County Commissioners Bill Dwyer, Bobby Green and Peter Sorenson; and Springfield Council Member Christine Lundberg.
Shine has also been endorsed by Gene Heinle, former principal of Springfield High School; Jennifer Heiss, a longtime member of the Springfield School Board; Larry Romine and James Britt, both former LCC board members. He has even been endorsed by Jason Davies, the third candidate for this position who is throwing his support to Shine.
Why are all these people endorsing Shine? As The Register-Guard stated in its endorsement of March 1: “Shine represents the kind of fresh face the LCC Board needs. In background and interests, he offers a compelling potential to help jump start what many, both on and off campus, see as a board in need of new ideas. With a nod to Wheeler’s service, LCC voters should elect Dennis Shine.”
Please join me in voting for Dennis Shine, No. 11 on your ballot, for the Zone 3 position on the LCC Board.
Elaine Hayes
community volunteer
Springfield
